I Am Going to Say Something Controversial

Iceland is about to eradicate Down syndrome. How? Using prenatal testing and abortion.

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/450509/down-syndrome-iceland-cbs-news-disturbing-report

This is what I call a really sick,vile society.

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sogdianrock · 61-69, M

hi Cierzo
Is termination of pregnancy compulsory in the event of a positive test result for Downs Syndrome in Iceland then? Is the test for Downs Syndrome in Iceland itself compulsory also? Can a person leave Iceland in that situation? Do you think parents should be given an informed choice?
Best wishes
:)

Cierzo · M

@sogdianrock It is not compulsory. The fact that parents choose it makes it more vile

sogdianrock · 61-69, M

hi Cierzo
Who else should choose what to do with her own body than the mother specifically? Life is full of hard choices but that is what they re choices even if someone else - you perhaps - makes the choice. Is that right you decide for other people? Should there be know information provided? Why not face and make difficult choices? Have you experience of Downs yourself?
Best wishes
:)

Pherick · 41-45, M

@Cierzo So let me ask you.

2 situations, both setup with parents who have 2 kids already, both still under 5. Middle class income.

1.) They find out about the DS baby, they agonize over it, but decide since they already have 2 kids who need attention and worry a DS baby would not allow them to be good parents to their kids. Plus they fear about the costs of medical bills with a DS baby, they would never be able to send their kids to college or have an inheritance. As well, is the DS is severe, after the parents die, the 2 kids will have to be saddled with the mental and financial burden of caring for a DS brother and sister. They decide to abort.

2.) They find out they have a DS baby and decide to have it. All the things above happen, 2 kids feel they are pushed aside as their parents are consumed with caring for a severe DS child. Money is spent as quickly as it comes in on the medical and home needs of a severe DS child. Perhaps the parents even eventually get a divorce because of the stress of dealing with this DS child in their lives.

Why is 1 more "vile" than number 2?

Cierzo · M

@Pherick If parents are not sure they can provide financial support for the baby, whatever his health condition is, they should behave like responsible adults, and refrain from having it.
Some of us do not consider abortion an acceptable behaviour, and we are not going to change your minds. Take it

Pherick · 41-45, M

@Cierzo Are you implying that the cost of a normal healthy child is the same as caring for a DS child? If so, you are really far off-base.

Interesting how you want people to behave like responsible adults, but when behaving like responsible adults means terminating a pregnancy, you are against it :)

Enjoy.

Cierzo · M

@Pherick You know, I happen to believe that being responsible and a murderer cannot go together. I know that not everybody thinks so, though

Cierzo · M

@sogdianrock Fathers have something to do with making babies too, at least in most cases. And there is the baby too. Some of us do not swallow the 'bunch of cells' bs